Sidney Crosby: The Kid's Penguins Teammates Wrong to Question Playing Status

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby is doing everything he can to make sure he's ready to return after his latest post-concussion symptoms and struggles, but he's not getting the support he needs from his teammates.

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

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A few, certainly not all, of Crosby's teammates are of the mind that he's been symptom-free for a while, though they have no medical basis for that. Some think he should be playing. Some simply think he should be doing more to communicate, or at least be as visible as concussed defenseman Kris Letang.

Last week in Pittsburgh, according to three sources, a group of players held a 45-minute meeting to discuss a temporary captaincy. Another source disputed that any such meeting occurred.

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The Penguins players are certainly frustrated with the team's lack of success this season, highlighted by the fact they currently sit tied with the Washington Capitals for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot thanks to a six-game losing streak.

But thinking that Crosby should be playing after all he's gone through is extremely disrespectful. There are more important things at stake for Crosby than the Penguins' season.

Crosby's long-term health is at stake, and returning too early could ultimately put a premature end to his career.

The alleged meeting regarding a temporary captain is insane. You don't take the "C" from someone like Crosby—someone who means everything to the franchise on and off the ice.

Pittsburgh has enough capable veteran leaders, and they shouldn't need an "A" or "C" on their sweater to prove it.

The fact that some teammates think he should communicate better is also laughable. Crosby shouldn't be around the team unless he's ready to practice, skate or work out consistently.

Having him at practice will just be a distraction, and the "when are you going to return?" questions get old and annoying really fast.

Despite injuries to key players such as James Neal and Jordan Staal, the Penguins are good enough to make the playoffs without Crosby.

There's no doubt Crosby is dying to return to the game he loves so much, but he doesn't need this garbage from his teammates, if this is how they actually feel.

Crosby is doing his best, and the team doesn't need to rush him back by questioning his toughness and will.

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Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.